What you need to know about hiring a roofer in Cardiff
Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home. When it needs work — whether that's a repair, maintenance, or a full replacement — you want someone who knows what they're doing. This guide walks you through the whole process of finding and hiring a roofer in Cardiff, so you can make a decision with your eyes open.
Roofing isn't a DIY job for most people. It's dangerous, requires specialist knowledge, and a bad job will cost you far more to fix later. That's why choosing the right tradesperson matters.
We'll cover what roofers actually charge, what accreditations to look for, what's specific to Cardiff properties, how to get quotes, and what questions to ask before you sign anything. By the end of this, you'll know more than most homeowners about what goes into a roof job.
One thing to be clear about: we're not here to sell you anything. We run an independent trade directory for Wales. We just want to help you hire someone competent, honest, and reliable. Whether your roof is slate, tile, felt, or metal, the process of finding the right person is the same.
What roofers charge in Cardiff
Roofing costs depend on the size of your roof, the materials, how badly it's damaged, and what needs doing. Let's break down realistic 2026 prices.
Repairs and patching: A small repair — fixing a few slipped tiles or patching felt — typically runs £200–£600. This usually takes a few hours and doesn't need scaffolding.
Slate and tile work: If you need slates or tiles replacing across a larger area, expect £150–£300 per square metre. A typical semi-detached roof might need £1,500–£4,000 of work depending on the damage.
Felt roof replacement: A felt roof on a garage or extension costs around £80–£150 per square metre to replace. A standard single garage roof runs £400–£800.
Full roof replacement: This is where costs add up. A pitched roof on a three-bed semi in Cardiff will run £8,000–£18,000 depending on materials. Slate is at the higher end; asphalt shingles cheaper.
Guttering and downpipes: These often need attention alongside roof work. Budget £150–£250 per metre installed.
Scaffolding: Most roof work needs scaffolding. This adds £800–£2,000 to the job depending on your roof's height and complexity.
Always get at least three quotes. Prices vary because different roofers use different materials, work at different speeds, and have different overheads. A quote that's significantly cheaper than the others usually means corners being cut — ask why. A quote that's much higher might just be a busy firm; that's fine, but get clarity on what you're actually paying for.
Accreditations and qualifications to look for
Not all roofers are equal. Look for these properly recognised qualifications.
NFRC (National Federation of Roofing Contractors): This is the big one. NFRC members are vetted, insured, and follow strict codes of practice. They're audited regularly. If a roofer is NFRC-registered, that's a strong sign they're professional and won't cut corners. You can check the NFRC register online.
RoofCERT: This certification scheme verifies that roofers have proper training and follow quality standards. RoofCERT members often specialise in specific materials — slate, tile, asphalt, felt — so you know they've trained properly on what they're using.
NVQs and City & Guilds: Look for roofers who hold NVQs in roofing (typically Level 2 or 3) or equivalent City & Guilds qualifications. These prove they've completed formal training.
Insurance: Your roofer must have public liability insurance (minimum £1 million) and employers' liability if they have staff. Always ask to see the certificates before work starts.
Guarantee: Work should come with a guarantee — usually 10 years for materials and workmanship. Get this in writing.
Why does this matter? Roofing is regulated loosely compared to gas or electrics, so there's no legal requirement to be qualified. That means anyone can buy a ladder and call themselves a roofer. The accreditations above separate the professionals from the cowboys. Don't hire someone just because they're cheap; hire someone because you can verify they know what they're doing.
Roofing issues specific to Cardiff homes
Cardiff's housing stock and climate create specific roofing challenges.
Older terraces and Victorian roofs: Much of Cardiff is Victorian and Edwardian terraced housing. These roofs often have slate or clay tiles that are over 100 years old. Slate can last two centuries if maintained, but clay tiles degrade faster, especially in damp conditions. If your terrace has the original roof, expect repairs soon.
Wet weather and condensation: Cardiff gets significant rainfall — around 1,000mm per year. Roofs here need good ventilation to prevent condensation buildup in the loft, which leads to rot and mould. Make sure any roofer you hire addresses ventilation properly, not just patching holes.
Salt air and industrial history: Parts of Cardiff, especially closer to the bay, are affected by salt air corrosion. This speeds up deterioration of metal flashings and gutters. If you're near the bay, mention this to your roofer — they may recommend stainless steel fittings instead of standard steel.
Planning and listed building restrictions: If your home is listed or in a conservation area, you may need planning permission before roof work. Many Cardiff properties fall into this category. A good roofer will know the rules and can advise, but it's worth checking with the council beforehand.
Local tradespeople: Cardiff has a strong community of roofers. The best way to find someone reliable is word of mouth — ask neighbours what they've used. Local trade bodies like the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) maintain registers of vetted members in the Cardiff area.
Know your roof type before calling anyone out. Is it slate, tile, felt, or something else? How old is it? This information helps roofers give you a faster, more accurate quote.
How to find and hire a roofer
Here's the practical process.
1. Identify the problem: Before you call anyone, work out what's actually wrong. Are tiles slipping? Is the felt damaged? Is water coming through? Take photos. This helps roofers give you a quote without visiting if it's straightforward, or at least gets them to the right answer faster when they do visit.
2. Get referrals: Ask friends, family, neighbours, and local traders who they've used. Personal recommendations are gold. Ask what they paid and whether they were happy.
3. Get three quotes: Always. Phone or email three local roofers with a clear description of what needs doing. Ask if there's a call-out fee for the quote (most don't charge, some do). Meet them at your home — anyone who quotes over the phone without seeing the roof is guessing.
4. Check credentials during the visit: When they arrive, ask to see insurance certificates and any NFRC or RoofCERT documentation. A professional will have these ready.
5. Compare quotes properly: Don't just pick the cheapest. Compare what's included — materials, labour, guttering, scaffolding, guarantee, timeline. Are they doing like-for-like repairs or suggesting upgrades? Make sure you understand the difference.
6. Read the paperwork: Get everything in writing — what's being done, cost, timeline, payment terms, guarantee. Check for VAT. Don't pay the full amount upfront; standard practice is a deposit (usually 25–50%) and the rest on completion.
7. Hire and arrange: Once you've chosen, confirm the start date, how long it'll take, where they'll park, and any access they need. Communicate clearly.
8. Inspect the finished work: Before final payment, walk the roof (with your roofer if possible) and check gutters are clear, flashing looks good, and any slipped tiles are fixed.
Questions to ask before you hire
When a roofer visits or you're on the phone, ask these questions. Their answers tell you a lot.
1. How long have you been in business? Experience matters. Someone who's been roofing for 15 years knows more than someone in their first year.
2. Are you registered with NFRC or RoofCERT? If not, why not? There's no legal requirement, but it's a mark of professionalism.
3. What insurance do you carry and can I see the certificates? Minimum £1 million public liability. If they don't have it, don't hire them.
4. What's included in the price? Materials, labour, scaffolding, guttering, disposal of old materials? Spell it out so there are no surprises.
5. What's the guarantee on materials and workmanship? It should be at least 10 years in writing. Some manufacturers offer longer guarantees on their materials — ask what applies here.
6. How long will the job take and when can you start? Get a realistic timeline. If they say "next week" but they're a one-person operation with a full book, that's a red flag.
7. Do I need planning permission? If your home is listed or in a conservation area, they should flag this. A good roofer will know.
8. What happens if it rains during the work? A professional outfit should have a plan to keep your property watertight overnight if needed.